Two Bills Drive

The salient news in this column is that Donahoe plans on sticking to his earlier statement that he will not offer more than $1 million/year for a 1st year head coach. According to this article, Williams will be offered a 3 year, $3 million contract. Williams did not complain when Donahoe laid out the parameters by which a new coach would be selected.

‘Williams is expected to hire Titans’ defensive backs coach Jerry Gray as his defensive coordinator.’

‘"Gregg brings to our franchise a long list of impressive credentials,” Bills president Tom Donahoe said Thursday. "His strengths are in the areas of leadership, knowledge of the game, organizational skills and people skills."’

‘The Baltimore Ravens’ chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions just gained a boost from an unexpected source. Buffalo.’

"We have been hearing whispers, but then we got the official word from (Donahoe) about 30 minutes ago, that he was going with Gregg Williams," agent Ray Anderson, who represents Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, told SportsLine.com. "It was a brief phone call and one that didn’t make us very happy."

‘The Buffalo Bills have hired Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams as their 12th head coach. New Bills GM Tom Donahoe informed runner-up candidate Marvin Lewis, the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator, of the news via telephone about 1 p.m. ET, according to a source.’

‘Reportedly the top candidate, Lewis said there were family considerations that would weigh in any decision he makes to leave Baltimore, where he has been the Ravens’ coordinator the past five seasons.’

‘The Buffalo Bills have settled on Gregg Williams to be their new head coach, pending a contract being worked out. A news conference is expected to take place Friday in which Williams will be named head coach… Gregg Williams, the Titans’ defensive coordinator, is the surprise frontrunner for the Bills’ head coaching job.’

‘the only things clear about the Buffalo Bills’ coaching situation were that Tom Donahoe’s choice may be introduced to Ralph Wilson on Thursday for final approval and that Marvin Lewis’ agent doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut…’

‘The team has not yet announced when individual game and group tickets will go on sale. The 2001 home schedule will include games against the four AFC East rivals, along with Pittsburgh, Seattle, Carolina and New Orleans.’

‘Two well-placed front-office sources from NFL teams told The Buffalo News that Lewis’ interview with Bills President Tom Donahoe on Monday evening did not go well.’

‘Most surprising, Marvin Lewis, the defensive mastermind of the Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens, appears to have dropped out of the mix. There are a number of variables that have affected Lewis’s candidacy, including a significant raise he was recently offered by the Ravens’ owner, Art Modell.’

‘Phillips took Schottenheimer’s decision in stride. He has been the head coach of the Denver Broncos and the Bills, and has had great success as an NFL defensive coordinator. He interviewed with Schottenheimer on Monday and Tuesday, and received the news from Schottenheimer by telephone yesterday.’

‘Washington Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer yesterday picked his brother, Kurt, over Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator…’

‘This is as close as he’s ever been to a head job. Although speculation in Buffalo has Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis as the frontrunner, Fox remained hopeful based on his feeling about his interview with Bills GM Tom Donahoe.’